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Help With Circulating Block Heater

bookwood

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bookwood Enthusiast

bookwood

Posted
Posted

hi there

can anyone tell me how to install a circulion block heater on a 2003 suburban?

i tried to put it inlkine with the heaterhose comming from the waterpump. it will heat up and build pressure on the surge tank but will not going in the block any ideas?

Riverjet502 Enthusiast

Riverjet502

Posted
Posted

Are you describing a heater that goes in the lower raditator hose, or are you describing a block heater that replaces one of the freeze plugs? I'm a bit confused sorry..

bookwood Enthusiast

bookwood

Posted
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Posted
Are you describing a heater that goes in the lower raditator hose, or are you describing a block heater that replaces one of the freeze plugs? I'm a bit confused sorry..

 

it is neither a lower rad hose heater or a standard block heater. it is a heater with a inlet on the bottom and an out let on the top normally used for heavy duty engine. i tried to put it between the hose from the waterpump to the heater but it heats up only the heater and the return hose which is spliced in the purge tank and goes to the waterpump.

Crazy Canuck Enthusiast

Crazy Canuck

Posted
Posted
Are you describing a heater that goes in the lower raditator hose, or are you describing a block heater that replaces one of the freeze plugs? I'm a bit confused sorry..

 

it is neither a lower rad hose heater or a standard block heater. it is a heater with a inlet on the bottom and an out let on the top normally used for heavy duty engine. i tried to put it between the hose from the waterpump to the heater but it heats up only the heater and the return hose which is spliced in the purge tank and goes to the waterpump.

 

 

 

Just to be clear, you installed it in the hose that goes to the heater core, or the hose that goes to the rad? I am not sure that this would work in this application because of the thermostat. You have to build around 180 degrees of temperature or about 15psi to get the thermostat to open, but that has to be pressure/temperature inside the block, not outside in one of the hoses. Without the thermostat being open, in my opinion you will get little or no circulation through the block. I would also be worried about your inline heater restricting flow in the hose durning regular operation as well, especially during the warmer months. I would go by a standard block heater and relace one of the freeze plugs with it. Just my $.02.

rodram Enthusiast

rodram

Posted
Posted

... I have installed a few of these in '70's models GM cars and trucks ... but I did this over 30 years ago.

 

... these circulating engine coolant heaters have to be installed on the hose that comes OUT OF the heater core and then into the engine block

 

... and to have them work you have to have the heater controls set for open flow in the heater hoses. In the older vehicles this was as simple as pushing the mechanical lever on the heater controls to HOT. If you leave this control closed (in the COLD position...) there is no circulation and you will burn up the heater unit.

 

... these are NOT dependent on thermostat being in the open or closed position (the thermostat controls circulation of the coolant through the radiator not through the heater core) ... these circulating heaters just pull coolant out of the engine, through the heater core, and then the 'heated' coolant is sent back to the engine block

 

... NOW.. on the newer trucks with automatic or electronic controls, I have absolutely NO IDEA of how you ensure that the heater core has open circulation when you have the engine shut down. Someone will have to confirm this.... or even if it can be done...

 

.. to the OP... I agree that they are nice and convenient, and simple to install (just cut out a piece of the heater hose the right length, insert the heater/pump, tighten the two hose clamps, and run the electrical cord to a convenient place in front of the grill).... but on a newer truck I would want to know for sure how the electronic or digital heater circulation controls actually work....

 

.. I have a simple engine block heater on my '97 (small coil unit inserted in a frost plug.... installed by a mechanic.. but I have installed these myself, back when I did all my own auto mechanical work..)

dewfpo Senior Enthusiast

dewfpo

Posted
Posted

Many of these circulating type heaters just work off of convection. They don't have pumps. At least not the ones for non-commercial domestic vehicles. There can't be a heater control valve in the way of flow unless they are mechanical and can be opened and help open mechanically like the old systems were. Some of the newer systems require vacuum or electricity to keep these open.

 

As well, since they circulate by convection they must be placed so that the hot water can rise and cold water can be pulled from the block at a lower location.

 

DEWFPO

  • 2 weeks later...
MYZ-71 Enthusiast

MYZ-71

Posted
Posted

I know what heater you are talking about, it does have a pump that circulates, not sure of coolant flow through heater core when truck not running but someone told me that coolant always flows through core on these trucks and that temperature is controlled through a door in the duct work but don`t know for sure.

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